We have some erasable marker, so I think I'll try that too. Just a few minutes ago when I checked he seemed to have not made it any worse last night, so maybe he was waking up too early. I''l keep watching him and trying out the ideas you two have given me.

He wasn't interested in either the bottle caps or squiggles that I drew on the side of the tank, so I thought he may enjoy a complete change of scenery and moved him to the other side of the divided tank he is in. He has never flared at his tank mate, but now it seems he spends all his time exploring and when he catches a glimpse of the other betta he rushes over to the divider and flares. So, for now he is pretty busy. I hope it will last for a while.